Topic: Neptune (Planet)

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In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Uranus
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Gas giants
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Voyager
In Pictures: Space photos of the day 09/15
In Pictures: Space photos of the day 09/03

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Thousands of comets orbiting new star collide every day, create visible debris ring

Comets, perhaps over 80 trillion, circle a young star that houses one alien planet and maybe more. There are thousands of daily comet collisions in the star's orbit.
NASA discovers 26 new alien planets in 11 solar systems

The findings nearly double the number of bona fide planets found outside our solar system by the Kepler space observatory.
Most stars in our galaxy have planets, study suggests

Rocky, roughly earth-like planets orbiting stars seem to be the rule, rather than the exception, an new study reveals.
New planet discovered to be first in habitable zone

New planet discovery excites scientists: the discovery of a new planet 600 light years away with roughly the right temperature for plant and animal habitation is causing a buzz in the science community. Though much larger than Earth, scientists haven't ruled out the possibility of life being discovered.
Where did Earth's water come from? Comet Hartley 2 offers new clues.

The composition of comet Hartley 2 suggests that comets might have been a bigger source of Earth's water than previously thought. It's also challenging models of solar system formation.
Fried egg nebula: European telescope captures image of monster star [VIDEO]

Fried egg nebula: The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope has spotted a massive yellow hypergiant star surrounded by a dusty double shell, prompting astronomers to think of breakfast.
Super-Earth: Newly discovered planet could potentially support life

Super-Earth: The newfound haul of alien planets includes 16 super-Earths, which are potentially rocky worlds that are more massive than our planet. One in particular has captured astronomers' attention because it orbits at the edge of its star's habitable zone, suggesting conditions could be ripe to support life.
Trojan asteroid discovered leading Earth's orbit

Trojan asteroid: NASA has discovered that Earth has an asteroid companion traveling just ahead of our planet as it orbits the sun. This so-called Trojan asteroid could serve as a stepping stone to celestial objects farther afield.
Hidden sea on a Saturn moon? New evidence says yes.

Satellite Cassini flew through geyser plumes spouting from Enceladus and gathered ice crystals. These crystals are salt-rich, suggesting that a hidden salty sea lurks beneath Enceladus's icy cap.
Surprise find in Kepler planet hunt: lots of multi-planet systems

NASA's Kepler spacecraft, which is searching for Earth-mass planets orbiting sun-like stars, is finding hundreds of candidate planets, and many more multi-planet systems than expected.
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Uranus
In search for Earth-size world, a historic first: Kepler finds rocky planet

For the first time, scientists have confirmed an exoplanet that is rocky like Earth – not a gas giant. It's also 2,500 degrees F and denser than iron, so it's no candidate for life, say members of the team working with the planet-hunting Kepler spacecraft.
Cool Astronomy
Scientists plan Uranus probe

Proposed by British scientists as a joint effort of NASA and the European Space Agency, the mission would offer the first close-up view of Uranus in 25 years.
Hey, space hounds! Here's our top space stories of 2010. What are yours?

A burping black hole, water in weird places, and whopper-size new planets are some top space stories of 2010. If you have different discoveries on your list, post them in the comments section.
Chapter & Verse
"How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming" made Mike Brown a lot of enemies

Cal Tech astronomer and author Mike Brown helped to demote Pluto from planethood – and got a lot of hate mail as a result.
Voyager 1 nearing edge of solar system: NASA

Voyager 1: Since 2004, the Voyager 1 probe has been exploring a region of space where solar wind slows abruptly and crashes into the thin gas between stars.
Should Pluto be restored as a planet? Experts weigh in.

New calculations indicate that Pluto might be the largest object in the outer solar system. Does it now deserve to be called a planet again?
Alien planet travels to Milky Way, offers glimpse of Earth's demise

The alien world has already gone through the red giant phase of stellar evolution, a milestone our sun should reach in 5 billion years or so. The fact that the newly discovered exoplanet survived this dramatic event suggests some planets in our solar system might, too.
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Gas giants
In Pictures: Space photos of the day: Voyager
In Pictures: Space photos of the day 09/15
In Pictures: Space photos of the day 09/03
In Pictures: Space photos of the day 08/30
Cool Astronomy
Newfound star system could have seven planets

At least five and possibly seven planets are circling the star HD 10180, some 127 light-years away.
Astronomers discover star system that looks strikingly like our own

At least five planets circle the star HD 10180 in regular orbits, some 127 light years away. This new star system could set the extrasolar record for most known planets.